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POTASSIUM LAURYL SULFATE.

Questionable CAS 4706-78-9 / SURFACTANT - CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is a potent anionic surfactant and emulsifying agent. It effectively reduces surface tension in formulations, facilitating the removal of oils and debris from the skin, but can also lead to skin barrier disruption at higher concentrations.

Summary

Emulsifying Surfactant Cleansing

Science

Mechanism of Action

As an anionic surfactant, Potassium Lauryl Sulfate possesses an amphiphilic structure, enabling it to lower the surface tension of aqueous solutions. This property allows it to align at liquid interfaces, effectively emulsifying hydrophobic substances like oils and suspending dirt for cleansing. Its mechanism involves interaction with skin lipids and proteins, which contributes to its strong cleansing action but also its potential to disrupt the skin barrier.

Research

Clinical Evidence

Medium confidence
Effective range N/A
Optimal

N/A

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH 7 – 8
0 7 14

Stability

This ingredient exhibits hydrolytic stability under typical environmental conditions of temperature and pH. Optimal stability and conversion during synthesis are maintained within a pH range of 7-8, with decomposition prevented by keeping temperatures below 45°C.

Conflicts

  • Certain basic drugs (may form less soluble salts, impeding dissolution)
  • Negatively charged solid surfaces (due to electrostatic repulsion for this anionic surfactant)

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe with restrictions
Max tested
1% (leave-on) / 30% (wash-off)%
Sensitization risk Moderate

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has evaluated Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) as similar, concluding safety with use restrictions. Irritation is directly correlated with concentration. For leave-on applications, concentrations should not exceed 1%. In wash-off products, concentrations up to 30% are generally accepted, though formulations above 5% may necessitate warnings for skin and eye contact. No direct SCCS assessment exists; however, related dodecyl sulfates were deemed low priority for further evaluation due to rapid biodegradation.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

Yes Normal
No Dry
Yes Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Moderate
Comedogenicity Unknown

Our Assessment

Verdict

Questionable

Potassium Lauryl Sulfate is a highly effective surfactant for cleansing and emulsification, but its potential for skin barrier disruption and moderate irritancy, particularly for leave-on products, warrants careful consideration and strict adherence to concentration limits within precision skincare formulations.

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